Why Is Mitt Romney Is at the Met Gala?

Sam Reed
Updated
Mitt and Ann Romney arrived at the 2018 Met Gala on May 8—here's why.

We may not get Beyoncé at the Met Gala this year, but at least we get ... Mitt Romney?

Um, yes, the 2012 Republican nominee for President arrived with his wife, Ann Romney, at Anna Wintour's annual extravaganza. The former Governor of Massachusetts, who is currently running for a Utah senator seat, followed the black tie dress code, stepping out in a tux, while Ann arrived in a collared emerald grown.

Romney is one of the most well-known Mormons in the public sphere, so it's surprising he and Ann didn't embrace the religious theme with a bit more gusto.

At the very least, the politician won't have to worry about running into his former political rival, President Donald Trump. That's both because we expect he might be busy running the country (or you know, tweeting) and also because he was banned from the event by Wintour. At least he'll always have the time he proposed to Melania there?

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Though Romney's attendance feels a little bit out of place among Cardi B and Madonna, he's hardly the first politician to attend. Back in 2001, Hillary Clinton arrived at the Met steps clad in a leopard print gown and shall. Her daughter Chelsea also attended in 2012 and 2013, just a few years before Vogue officially endorsed Hilary for president in 2016—the publication's first-ever endorsement of a presidential candidate.

The Romneys aren't the only players from the world of politics at this year's gala. Huma Abedin, vice chair of Hillary Clinton's campaign, arrived in a single-shoulder yellow gown, and Wendi Murdoch—who counts Ivanka Trump as a close friend—also stepped out at the Met.

Let the party begin.